Combinations of adjectives should be hyphenated. This is known as hyphenated adjective (or compound adjective) and while they may seem odd, are in fact proper punctuation.  For example:

  • easy-to-read content
  • one-of-a-kind dog
  • much-needed hyphens
  • well-written script

However, they can often be avoided:

  • Your content is almost always easy to read.
  • My dog, Blaze, is one of a kind.
  • Hyphens, much needed in the writing world, are often neglected.
  • If I wrote a script, it would probably not be well written.

In addition, if you’re making up an adjective that is a string of words, it requires hyphens:

  • too-expensive-for-words truffle sauce
  • a very Doctor Zhivago-meets-I Love Lucy movie

Read more punctuation tips.

 

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in Feb, 2008 and has been updated for accuracy and completeness.